City of Antwerp seeks additional medical expertise for disabled individuals
The City of Antwerp has launched a tender procedure aimed at deploying additional medical expertise for people with disabilities. The initiative was announced on Friday by the cabinet of Nathalie van Baren (N-VA), alderman for social affairs.
Some individuals who enter the labour market via the Public Social Welfare Centre (OCMW/CPAS) are later found to be disabled. According to Gazet van Antwerpen, one in ten social assistance recipients in the city is exempt from activation due to medical reasons, supported by a disability certificate. However, the welfare centre reportedly has doubts about some of these certificates, particularly those issued for an indefinite duration, which offer no long-term perspective.
Local politicians stress that a medical condition, such as chronic back pain, does not necessarily mean someone is permanently unable to work. Additional medical assessments could help determine more realistic and personalised pathways to employment.
Van Baren says the focus of the new initiative should be on effective activation, ideally through tailored programmes that take into account the individual circumstances of those receiving benefits. If all goes according to plan, the approach could be implemented within a few months.
#FlandersNewsService | © PHOTO IMAGEBROKER
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